Cubs vs Padres (Photo via ESPN)
MLB fans are furious after the San Diego Padres were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs, thanks largely to a horrific strike three call on Xander Bogaerts in the top half of the ninth inning of Thursday’s decisive Game 3.

The Cubs carried a 3-0 lead into the final inning, needing just three more outs to set up a date with the Milwaukee Brewers in the ALDS. Jackson Merrill started the inning off with a solo shot to right field, putting the game-tying runner in the on-deck circle.

Xander Bogaerts worked a 3-2 count and seemingly drew a walk with a pitch that was well low and out of the strike zone. But inexplicably, home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn rung up Bogaerts for strike three:

Ryan O’Hearn and Bryce Johnson were both hit by pitches to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Jake Cronenworth grounded out to first base, and Freddy Fermin flew out to center field to end the game.

Obviously, there’s no telling how the ninth inning would have gone if Xander Bogaerts drew a walk. Nonetheless, it’s a terrible way for the Padres’ season to end, and social media lashed out at Reyburn’s call:

“That ump should be in pris0n,” a fan said.

“Not even close. Umpires should be fined for missing calls like that in that spot,” a user wrote.

“That is a horrendous call and ABS cannot come soon enough,” said ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“Xander Bogaerts and the Padres just got absolutely screwed. Might be the worst call I’ve ever seen. (Hyperbole, barely.),” wrote another.

“Xander Bogaerts will personally fund the ABS system next year,” a user commented.

“We refuse to use modern technology to give hitter a fair chance. Moronic,” said a fan.

As Passan pointed out, MLB will at least introduce the ABS Challenge System in 2026, so that will hopefully eliminate horrific and controversial calls like this one.

Padres Postseason Heartbreak Dealt Another Miserable Chapter

Jun 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres head athletic trainer Mark Rogow walks with right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) off the field after he was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. (Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
Few American sports franchises have suffered as much postseason heartbreak as the Padres since 2020. They ended a 14-year playoff drought that year, only to be swept by the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

They made a surprise run to the 2022 NLCS, including a stunning upset of the Dodgers in the NLDS, but were ousted by the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. After somehow missing the postseason with a star-studded roster led by Juan Soto in 2023, the Padres won 93 games to lock down another playoff berth.

The Padres swept the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card Series and had the Dodgers on the ropes in the NLDS, only to lose the final two games of that series. Now, they’re going home via horrendous controversy.